Montana Invasive Species Council (MISC)

Montanans cherish our outdoor recreation and spaces, and those spaces play a crucial role in our state’s vibrant economy. It is imperative that we do everything we can to protect Montana from the threat of invasive species that disrupt our land, water, and native species. None of us want another knapweed spreading across Montana. ­—Governor Steve Bullock

WHAT WE DO

The Montana Invasive Species Council is a statewide partnership working to protect Montana's economy, natural resources, and public health through a coordinated approach to combat invasive species.

Montana Invasive Species Strategic Framework

The Montana Invasive Species Council was proactively created by the Montana Governor’s office in 2015 and tasked with identifying priority invasive species issues and making recommendations to improve invasive species management.

The Council completed a Statewide Assessment of the individuals, groups and agencies working on invasive species, their management priorities, and an estimate of their expenditures in March of 2016. Following this Assessment, MISAC hosted a Summit attended by 175 representatives from across the state in April 2016 to prioritize the invasive species management challenges faced by a state with many habitats, borders, and partners.

From those discussions along with four public listening sessions held in September and October 2016 located in Miles City, Wolf Point, Great Falls, and Pablo, the Montana Invasive Species Strategic Framework was developed to include all partners and stakeholders in managing invasive species including federal, tribal, state, county, non-profit, private companies, landowners, and the people of Montana. The Framework includes over 90 coordinated actions that would better protect Montana from invasive species, 5 key areas highlighted for improvements are listed below:

COORDINATION: Respond to invasive species as a shared responsibility and a common priority across the state by integrating and strengthening Montana’s management.

PREVENTION: Reduce the transport of invasive species into and within Montana by fully engaging existing entities and resources.

DETECTION: Identify invasive species and responsibly share the locations of high priority invasive species across jurisdictions in Montana to focus and improve management